October 30, 2008–UNLV sophomore Therese Koelbaek capped a spectacular three days of golf with a second consecutive six-under par 66 to finished tied for second at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown, part of a record-setting day at Boulder Creek Golf Club. Koelbaek finished with a 54-hole total of 16-under par, shattering the UNLV records for lowest tournament score and lowest score to par, helping the Rebels to a fourth-place finish as a team. But the sensational sophomore and the Rebels were not alone in setting records. Pepperdine ran away with the team title, setting the NCAA record with a team score of 41-under par.
Koelbaek’s strong three-day performance was part of a UNLV team score of 19-under 845, which is a program record for both tournament score and lowest total score to par. The Rebels also set a program mark with their 14-under 274 today, the lowest single-round score and score to par in school history.
The perfect weather and golf course conditions at Boulder Creek Golf Club combined to set the stage for the scoring binge, but the players had to do the rest, and they all answered the call. Boulder Creek Golf Club is a challenging resort golf course that is open for public play so now Las Vegas golfers have the chance to come out and experience the same holes as the ladies torched.
Leading the way for the Waves was Lisa McCloskey, who set the NCAA individual record with a 17-under 199, as she turned in rounds of 67 (-5), 65 (-7) and 65 (-5). It was good enough for a one-stroke victory over Koelbaek and Cindy LaCrosse of Louisville. McCloskey beat the 16-under 200 recorded by Pepperdine’s Katherine Hull at the 2003 San Jose State Spartan Invitational and although the NCAA does not keep official golf records, Golfstat research has not turned up a lower 54-hole score and previously considered Hull’s score to be the NCAA record.
“What a great run we had today,” UNLV Head Coach Missy Ringler said. “Therese played a fantastic tournament and it was so much fun to watch. We now know what we are capable of as a team and we are already looking forward to the spring season.” Koelbaek missed a short birdie putt to close out her round on Wedensday but still had seven birdies and just one bogey to match her school-record effort of 66 which she turned in on Tuesday. Over the three days of the tournament Koelbaek rolled in 19 birdies compared to just a trio of bogies.
Rebel freshman Kristen Schelling (68-75-71–214, -2) and junior Natasha Krishna (72-75-67–214) tied for 22nd, sophomore Alejandra Guacaneme (74-74-70–218, +2) tied for 40th and Melissa Mabanta (76-74-77–227, +11) tied for 76th. UNLV fielded two teams and the Rebel "B" team came in 18th and was led by Kasi Lee, who tied for 80th with a 29 (73-82-76, +13). Stephanie Whatley (80-77-74—231, +15) tied for 83rd, Nicole McGirr (81-75-78–234, +18) tied for 87th and Victoria Oros (80-80-79–239, +23) finished 90th. Rebel freshman Bethany Glassford was forced to withdraw from the tournament after she opened the tournament with a four-over 76 on Monday. This was the final fall tournament for the Rebels, who will return to the course next year for the Wildcat Invitational, which will be played in Sonora, Mexico, on Feb. 22-24.
UNLV RECORDS BROKEN AT 2008 LAS VEGAS COLLEGIATE SHOWDOWN
Low Round To Par: -6 (66) Therese Koelbaek, Second & Third Rounds
Low Round: Tie 66 (-6) Threse Koelbaek, Second & Third Rounds
Low Tournament To Par (54 Holes): -16 (200) Therese Koelbaek
Low Tournament (54 Holes): 200 (-16), Therese Koelbaek
Team Low Round To Par: -14 (274), Third Round
Team Low Round: 274 (-14), Third Round
Team Low Tournament To Par (54 Holes): -19 (845)
Team Low Tournament (54 Holes): 845 (-19)